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How to Get Started With Your Hula Hoop

Hula hooping is great exercise. Really. The folks in the 50's were on to something.

Hula hooping is not just a retro 50's phenomenon. It can change your ab game. It strengthens your abdominal muscles, particularly your obliques, creating a natural corset effect that can create your slimmest stomach ever. It also works your legs and can be a decent cardiovascular workout if you do it a high intensity for an extended period of time. I came out of the hula hoop closet last month with myEmpower Cardio Core Fitness Hoopbut some of you are still struggling to get the hang of it. Admittedly trying to learn how to hoop isn't automatically easy. It takes practice.

Here's how to start hooping using a weighted hula hoop:

Don't gyrate your hips in the direction of the hoop. That is mistake #1.

Stand with one foot in front of the other, maybe your "dominant" foot when beginning.

Once you give the hoop that first "turn" around your waist, start rocking your weight from one foot to the other. No jumping, just think of a pumping & rocking motion.

Again, practice. One direction will be easier than the other. Clockwise was initially easier for me but I focused on getting stronger going counter clockwise and now I'm pretty good both directions.

The great thing about hooping is that you can do it any time of day. I do it while brushing my teeth for two minutes with my electronic toothbrush (kinda weird but whatever). Or if I can't get to the gym, I hoop for 30 minutes for a cardio/core workout. I probably do it for at least five minutes six days a week.

I'm obsessed.

*Remember: flat abs start in the kitchen. No amount of hooping, cardio, ab work or spinning will give you a flat stomach if you're eating too much crap every day. A quality, balanced diet is key. I'm a huge fan of the Mediterranean diet approach to eating.